Sinless Perfection by A. S. Worrell

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, Cal. · Jan 24, 1884

“Sinless Perfection.”

By A. S. Worrell

SOME well-meaning people have been decoyed into this snare—which I regard as very fatal to the highest interests of the soul. For one to affirm that he has not committed a sin, or failed to do all that is required of him, for so many days, months, or years, seems to me to savor of presumption, if indeed it be not the very essence of it. For one to make such a statement, he would have to know—1. That he had, during the whole time, kept the decalogue. And he must know—2. That he has perfectly kept these two laws: (a) “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, with all thy strength, and with all thy mind”—in other words, he must know that he has loved God with every energy of his being, and that, in this service, these powers have been strained to their utmost all the time—something which I see not how any one can certainly know; and, (b) “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” Under this law, the law requiring us to love our enemies is included.

Now, it may not be a difficult thing for one to know that he does love God, but how is he to know—during the pressure of many worldly cares especially—that he has kept this law in all its length and breadth? How, too, is he certainly to know that he has loved his neighbor as himself? When we look at the positive side of duty, the commandment appears “exceeding broad.” It extends not to the outward act merely, but to the motives, desires, and tastes. Now, to know that these are all in exact harmony with the divine requirements, and that every other power of soul and body is at the same time filling its mission perfectly, is more, it seems to me, than any one, save Omniscience himself, can know without a direct revelation, well and definitely attested.

When in connection with all this it is taken into account that “The heart is deceitful above all things,” one should shrink back from making any such declaration as that he has committed no sin, or that he has been chargeable with no sin, for any definite period of time! The wisest and most advanced Christian on earth has no authority for making any such declaration. His conscience may have reported nothing against him for a given period; but many things may transpire within one, and consciousness take no note of it. Sins of ignorance were provided for under the Mosaic economy; and this is, to say the least, suggestive of the possibility, if not the probability, of such sins existing under the present dispensation. It is well to tell the truth, if possible, in every utterance; but one cannot know that he does tell the truth when he asserts that he has reached the position of “sinless perfection.”

“But do not the Scriptures declare that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth the dutiful believer from all sin?” To be sure it does; but this does not signify that the believer gets to the point where he has no need of cleansing. “If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” The texts show a gracious provision for the pardon and cleansing of the penitent believer; but I do not understand any one of them to teach that the believer lives without sinning, or that he ever, in this life, reaches a point at which he may say, “I have no further need for the cleansing blood;” “I have no sin to confess;” “I know that I am doing my whole duty every moment!” Such declarations as these should never be made in this life, by “the most advanced Christian.” Such assertions seem to me to imply very great ignorance and presumption on the part of the one who makes them.

Some lay great stress on “testimony.” This, doubtless, is valuable, provided it be true, and prudently stated; but a bold declaration of “sinlessness” is a poor substitute for a life characterized by “the fruit of the spirit,” and by patient, well-directed labor for the good of souls.

The proper place for Christians of every stage of advancement is “under the blood.” Living here, they confess their need of Christ continually; and then they have the assurance that all their sins—recognized and unrecognized—are pardoned. Thus it is possible to live in such a way as to have, the consciousness of cleansing, or of being cleansed, continually; and such a life would not leave sin on the soul for any considerable time.

This is a position of humility—the only place suited to a sinner saved by grace alone. Here the most devout heart may pray daily: “Our Father who art in Heaven! hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is done in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our sins,” &c. It would be impossible for such a soul to pray after the manner of the Pharisee: “Lord I thank thee that I am not as other men”—“I thank thee that I have no farther need of the pardoning, cleansing blood of Christ!” What a prayer! Rather let the prayer ascend, “God be merciful to me a sinner!”—A. S. Worrell, in Baptist Play.